Xbox LIVE Game of the Year: 'Castle Crashers'

Microsoft announced the winners of the second annual Xbox LIVE Awards last night. The big winner was Castle Crashers. The almost criminally addicting downloadable side-scroller won Game of the Year, Best Original Game, and best Co-op. For the more financial-minded among you, the game also "won" the undeclared prize of best selling LIVE Arcade game in 2008.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo HDRemix tied Castle Crashers for the highest number of awards won. The re-mixed fighter earned accolades for Best Versus Mode, Best Remake, and Best Graphics.

As far as exactly who decides what wins, it works like this: A panel of industry experts nominated the top Xbox LIVE Arcade games in nine separate categories, then 185,000 members of the community voted for the winners. Truly a People's Choice award!

Click the cut for the full list.

Game of the Year:Castle Crashers

Best Versus Mode:Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Best Single Player Game:Portal: Still Alive

Best Remake:Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix

Best Original Game:Castle Crashers

Best Innovation:Braid

Best Graphics:Super Street Fight II Turbo HD Remix

Best Family Game:A Kingdom for Keflings

Best Co-op Mode:Castle Crashers

What do you think of the list? Personally, I'm surprised Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2 didn't win anything. That game takes home the "Most Addictive, Crack-Like" game, in my personal award ceremony.